Portland Poo
Yesterday's elephant manure tour was followed by today's compost dumpster dive at a fancy downtown building. It's amazing what goes on in this city. It seems like so many people are on board with the whole recycling/sustainability/eco-whatever thing. It's really quite cool.
Yesterday I was so proud to bring Brandon home a souveneir from the zoo. He was hoping for a giraffe sponge or something, but I brought him a clear cup and a knife--both made out of corn and/or potato starch. Amazing! They look and feel heavier than the cheap-o plastic that's normally available, and they are completely compostable...meaning, that within a certian amount of time, in a properly managed compost heap (probably not your backyard compost pile, but in a commercial one) they'll turn into plain old starch, and be nutritious for plants. How brilliant is that? The cutlery is green, and the knife would probably draw blood if you used it like a little saw. The cup is clear plastic, and it's so sturdy I put it in our cupboard to use and reuse.
They've been around a while, but now they are finally affordable. The zoo's a pretty conservation-friendly place, and has had their eye on them for years but the cost was prohibitive. It wasn't worth it. But now as the price of oil rises, affecting the cost of plastics, it's a pretty good deal. Not cheaper, but the purchasing manager says it's "cost effective."
TodayI got to go through the bowels of the 200 SW Market St. building to see the compost bin, then on up to the 17th floor where the views of the city are outstanding. NOW I see the draw of living in a high rise. Mt. Hood wasn't visible because it's rainy, but I can just imagine. It looks like a picture!
Anyway, they were remarkable too. I am scooping myself by writing about this story... it won't come out till next week sometime. But the Office of Sustainable Development has a cool program that's been going on for a while that urges downtown businesses to compost. All they have to do is put their food waste in a bin, and it's collected along with the garbage. Business owners say they are happy to be helping, but the thing is, is that the public doesn't know! Wouldn't you rather shop at a company that you know is working to reduce waste by composting their old crap, rather than one who disregards the environment? I would!
So, maybe now people will know a little better thanks to my story. Plus, the more businesses involved, the less crap ends up in the landfills.
Yesterday I was so proud to bring Brandon home a souveneir from the zoo. He was hoping for a giraffe sponge or something, but I brought him a clear cup and a knife--both made out of corn and/or potato starch. Amazing! They look and feel heavier than the cheap-o plastic that's normally available, and they are completely compostable...meaning, that within a certian amount of time, in a properly managed compost heap (probably not your backyard compost pile, but in a commercial one) they'll turn into plain old starch, and be nutritious for plants. How brilliant is that? The cutlery is green, and the knife would probably draw blood if you used it like a little saw. The cup is clear plastic, and it's so sturdy I put it in our cupboard to use and reuse.
They've been around a while, but now they are finally affordable. The zoo's a pretty conservation-friendly place, and has had their eye on them for years but the cost was prohibitive. It wasn't worth it. But now as the price of oil rises, affecting the cost of plastics, it's a pretty good deal. Not cheaper, but the purchasing manager says it's "cost effective."
TodayI got to go through the bowels of the 200 SW Market St. building to see the compost bin, then on up to the 17th floor where the views of the city are outstanding. NOW I see the draw of living in a high rise. Mt. Hood wasn't visible because it's rainy, but I can just imagine. It looks like a picture!
Anyway, they were remarkable too. I am scooping myself by writing about this story... it won't come out till next week sometime. But the Office of Sustainable Development has a cool program that's been going on for a while that urges downtown businesses to compost. All they have to do is put their food waste in a bin, and it's collected along with the garbage. Business owners say they are happy to be helping, but the thing is, is that the public doesn't know! Wouldn't you rather shop at a company that you know is working to reduce waste by composting their old crap, rather than one who disregards the environment? I would!
So, maybe now people will know a little better thanks to my story. Plus, the more businesses involved, the less crap ends up in the landfills.
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